Thin-walled metal radiator



4 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR By Attorneys,

Q. S. BEYER THIN WALLED METAL RADIATOR Filed Feb. 4, 1926 Q aw Jan. 10, 1928.

Jan. 10, 1928.

O. S. BEYER THIN WALLED METAL RADIATOR 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 4. 1926 15 stead of formin Patented 10, 1928. v

i UNITED STATES ,PATENT" OFFICE. Y

OTTO 8. 3m, BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, ABBIG NOB, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO I. 'W. BLISS COMPANY, 01' BROOKLYN, NEW YO BK, A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE.

'ram-wnmn urn. mu'ron.

Application filed February 4, ma. Serial no. aao'rs;

This invention' r'elates to thin-walled metal radiators, and aims to provide certain 1mproveinents therein. More specifically, 1t has to do with improvements in radiators comprising thin -walled tubes provided with means for remforcing the same agalnst excessive deformation due to the high pressure of the fluids used therein and the wide variation of tem erature changes to whlch they are subjecte and for increasing the eflective area of radiating surface, as described in my depending application Serial No.

12,055, filed February 27, 1925.

According to the present invention, in-

the radiator sections from short lengths o tubin as described n my aforesaid application, form a plurahty of sections from a single length of prepared tubing by appropriatelybending 1t prefer- 2o ably into a sinuous form. By so doing, the

, number of joints and the possible sources of leakage are reduced to a minimum. Sultable means are also provided for preventing detriment-a1 deformations of the sections when subjected to high pressures and wide temperature variations of the flurds used therein, which means are also so designed as -to provide a maxi-mum of eflicient interchange of temperatures between the fluid medium used in the radiator and the air to be treated thereby.

The resent invention also provldes a radiator aving a weight, volume and cost "much less, and an e cienc based on sand factors much greater than t e usual types of radiators.

Several embodiments of the invention, and the article in several stages of manufacture illustrative of the method, are shown in the accompanyi-n drawings, in which Figs. 1 an 2 are respectively an end and a plan view of one embodiment.

Fi 3 and t are sectional views on the lines I- -III and IV--IV of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a view ,in elevation with parts broken away of another embodiment of the invention.

Fi 6 and 7 are sections taken on the lines -VI and VlL-YII of 5.

Fi 8 is a view similar to Fig. 5 of still anot er embodiment.

9 and 10 are sections taken on th lines --IX and X-X of Fig. 8.

Fi s. 11, .12, 13, 14 and 15 are views showing t e radiator tubes in several stages of the method of manufacture.

Referring first to Figs. 1 to 4 of the drawmgs, let 10 indicate a radiator which may consist of one or more units grou d or coupled together, each unit comprlsing a co plurality of substantially straight ortlons or sections 11 and a plurality of -sh'aped portions or bends 12 connectin adjacent sections in such manner that eac intermediate section 11 connects with two adjacent 55 sections. The end sections of each unit may have connections at one end, as indicated at 1 13, or at both ends, as 13 and 14, according as the fluid medium to be used therein is a gas, vapor or liquid, or as may be necessary or desired.

The sections and bends of each unit are preferably formed from a long thin-walled. tube 15 which is flattened throu hout itslen h excepting at its ends, as wil be more ful y explained, and said tube, which has a length of a plurality of sections and bends, is preferably sinuously bent, as shown in Fig. 1. The tube 15 being flat or substantially flat, it will be appreciated that the ratio 50 of radiating surface to volume will be large and that the bends 12 may be made relatively sharp.

The radiating effect may be further increased by providing separately formed ra- 35 diating means 30, 31 in contact with the outer surface of the sections 11. These means 30, 31 are conveniently sheets or strips ofmetal, preferably stamped to substantially surround the radiator sections, and ref- 'erably provided with projections 33 here shown as drawn projections, preferably open at the sides as in icated at 35, Fig. 4) adapt ed to provide a copious temperature interchange between the mediums on the inner and outer sides of the radiator 10. These pro'ections 33may be arranged to nest: one wi in a space between two projections on confining t the opposite strip 30, 31, and the projections furthermore are conveniently arranged to bear on the opposite strip 30, 31, and when so arranged, act to support the sections 11 against bulging, which arrangement is desirable where internal pressures are relatively high. The radiating strips 30, 31, themselves may by' their own stiffness and by being fastened together, reinforce the sec tions 11 against bulging. Preferably the strips 30, 31 are so formed that when used in pairs around a radiator section they will substantially entirely surround the same.

Where a continuous circulation through the radiator is necessary, as of hot water, brine, 'etc., or desired, the ends 13, 14 of the radiator tubes 15 are left open and connections made to the supply and leading off pipes 42, 43. Where there is no condensation, the location of the inlet and outlet is immaterial.

The tube 15 is preferably reduced in diameter at its end or ends 13, 14 to an extent where the area of the reduced end is equal to or approximately equal to the area of the cross section of the flattened parts of the sections 11, and the reduction of diameter of the end of the tube is preferably effected in such manner as to thicken the walls-of the tube at its reduced end or ends. The area enclosed by the end of the tube 13 shown in Fig. 3 is preferably approximately equal to the enclosed cross sectional area of the flattened part of the tube 12 shown in Fig. 4. Moreover, by comparing the thickness of the walls of the tube, at the end 14, and at the flattened part, the greater thickness of the wall at the end 14 will be seen. The equal cross sectional area of the end or ends, and of the sections 11 provides for a rational flow of the fluid medium in or through the radiator 10. The thickened ends also provide a greater body of metal, and consequently a more rigid structure at the joints between the radiator and the supply line 42, or carry 011' 43'.

Where a copious interchange of temperatures of fluid mediums is desired, as in industrial uses (air conditioning apparatus, cooling apparatus, heating apparatus, refrigerating apparatus, &c.) a number of radiator units may be grouped together, as shown in Fig. 2, and connected to supply and carry-01f pipes 42, 43 in the form of manifolds, as shown in said Fig. 2. Plates 50,51 or e uivalent means may be used for lie group of radiator units together and these plates connected by the rods 53 or the like.

In thin-walled radiators comprising sections, it will be appreciated that unequal expansion of the sections, caused when the fluid medium admitted to the inside'of the radiator, is at a decidedly different temperature from that of the medium on the outside of the radiator, will produce a strain, not only in the particular section aifected, but throughout the radiator. And where these sections are confined at each end the sections and the joints are intermittently strained,

and in course of time develop cracks or looseness of the joints, thereby rendering the radiator useless, but worse still, frequently result in costly destruction of other things due to the leaking of the medium circulating inside of the radiator sections. In the pres ent construction the sections are free to expand and contract unequally. Such strains as are produced, are transmitted through a plurality of the sections, and the extent and consequences-thereof is therefore minimized.

In Figs. 5-7, I have shown a radiator 60, the flattened tubes 15 of which are bent into the form of a flattened helix, comprising sections 61, connected by bends 65, to provide a unit structure having spaced substantially, flat parallel walls. Surrounding these walls and in contact therewith for the purpose of increasing the effective area of radiating surface, are sheet metal plates 66, 67 formed with projectiqns or ribs 68, which are preferably struck up from the body of the plates. These projections 68 are formed in rows to coincide with the sections 61, and are preferably inclined to the longitudinal axes of said sections. Also, the adjacent rows of projections are inclined in opposite directions, so as to provide zig-zag air passages over the radiator surfaces. It is also desirable that the plates 66 with their projections shall snugly fit between the inner walls of the helix and be so arranged with respect .to each other that the projections on the respective plates will cross each other, thereby bracing and reinforcing the sections against unequal strains. The plates 67 which contact the exterior walls of each helix and encompass the same maybe secured together .at their edges adjacent the bends 65 in any desired manner, as by bolts 69 and nuts 70.

It will be apparent that any number of unit structures 60 may be grouped together to provide a radiator having a predetermined temperature interchange capacity' In Figs. 5-7, a group consisting of two such units is illustrated, each unit having an open end 71 adapted for connection with a source of fluid and an outlet end 72 through which the fluid may be discharged. Obviously these ends 71, 72 may be connected to manifolds, as shown in Fig. 2.

In Figs. 8-10, I have shown a radiator especially adapted for use in homes, oflices,

etc., where the amount. of space available for radiators 'is limited. With this type of radiator, because of its large effective area of radiating surface, it is possible to obtain a far greater heating effect per unit volume of radiator than with the conventional types of cast radiators. Hence, for equal heating 1,aus,aai

effects, a much smaller radiator of the present type will do the work of a larger cast radiator. The temperature interchange be tween the present radiator and air may be also augmented throu h the use of a blower in combination with t e radiator.

Apreferred embodiment of this type of radiator consists of a unit structure 60, as shown in Fi s. 5-7, confined within a suitable housing 3, which may consist of a base 74, a casing and a top 76. For insuring the maximum efiiciency and esthetic appearance, the casing may be ornamented through an artistic arrangement of openings 77. V

-In thevarious embodiments illustrated it will be apparent that the radiator may be arranged for use with 'a gas or vapor, which liquefies at the temperature and pressure of use, in which event only one open end, such as 13 in Figs. 1 and 2 and 71 in Figs. 5-10 connected to a source 'of fluid suppl will be necessary. -It is preferable that where but one opening is used, that itbe located at the low 'point of the radiator.

The method of manufacturing the radiator is substantially as follows:

A tube 15, (Fig. 11) preferably of the length of a plurality of the sections 11 or 61 of the radiator to be formed therefrom, and having relatively thin walls, is taken, and the end or ends 13, 14 or 71, 72 are reduced in diameter, and the walls at the end referably thickened, as heretofore explained. The reduction of the end or ends is preferably accomplished by the hammering action of a machine having a shape of hammer and anvil, which results in the formation of a conical portion at the end or ends of the tube. See Fig. 12.

The ends of the tube are then drawn out to provide cylindrical portions 16 after which the tube 15 intermediate its cylindrical ends is then flattened, as indicated in Figs. 14 and 15, the operations of flattening, and of reducing the end or ends being so 'related'that an approximate equality of area of the cylindrical ends, and of the flattened part, is attained.

The flattened tube is thereafter sinuously bent into a plurality of sections, as illus trated in either Figs. 1 and 2 or Figs. 5-10, the bending being preferably done so that .there is a slight convergence toward the bend, between every two adjacent sections of each unit, so that the radiator may be readily drained.

Thereafter the end or ends to be joined to the supply line are fashioned suitabl for connection to the supply line, as by eing threaded, or as by having a threaded bushing attached thereto by ex ansion of the tube into the bushing or by razing or the like.

tive area of radiating surface, said means comprising sheet metal strips disposed to substantially entlrely envelop the sections,

having parts thereof in contact, thereby bracing and maintaining the sections in spaced relation to each other.

2. A radiator comprising a flattened tube bent in the form of a plurality of sections, and means for. increasin the effective area of radiating surface, sai means comprising sheet metal elements in contact with a plu rality of sections, said elements having projections thereon, the projections on one element engagingand crossing projections on the element of an adjacent section.

3. A radiator comprising a flattened tube bent in the form of a plurality of sections, and means for increasing the effective area of radiating surface, said means comprising sheet metal elements in contact with a plurality ofsections, said elements having projections thereon arranged in inclined relation to the axes of the sections and the projections on one element engaging and crossing the projections on the element of an adjacent section.

4. A thin-walled metal radiator comprising a flattened tube bent in the form of a flattened helix providing a structure having spaced substantially flat parallel faces, and means in contact with said parallel faces for increasing the effective area of radiating surface,

5. A thin-walled metal radiator compris-' ing a flattened tube bent in the form of a flattened helix providing a structure having substantially flat parallel walls, and sheet metal elements in contact with. the exterior walls of the structure and secured together at the bends of the helix, said elements having means for increasing the effective area of radiating surface. m

6. A thin-walled metal radiator comprisu said strips having projections thereon, and the sheet metal strips on adjacent sectionsing a flattened tube bent in the form of a flattened helix providing a structure havin spaced substantially flat parallel faces, an means in contact with said parallel faces for increasing the effective area of radiating surface, said means having projections thereon in inclined relation to the axes of the convolutions of the helix.

7. A thin-walled metal radiator comprison in inclined relation to the axes of the coning a flattened tube bent .in the form of a. volutions of the helix and so positioned in flattened helix -providing a structure having relation thereto as to provide zig-zag air pas- 10 spaced substantially flat parallel faces, and sages over the radiator surfaces.

5 means in contact with said parallel faces In witness whereof, I have hereunto for increasing the effective area of radiating signed my name. surface, said means having projections there- .OTTO S. BEYER. 

